How did you meet your SO? (Significant Other)

[DFW]

41. I was playing guitar in a West Berlin cabaret

In the 1970s, there was a lively folk music scene in what was then West Berlin. Young people used to
gravitate to West Berlin in those days, and an American friend who had been stationed there (spying
on the Soviet Air Force, but that's another story) gave me some addresses. I was there for a week in
1973, had a lot of fun, decided to go back in the summer of 1974.

So, after graduating college in May 1974, I headed back over to West Berlin. After a few one night stands,
a girl I had met a few days before, announced that she was taking off for China the next day, but she
thought I should meet her girlfriend from the northwest of Germany. It was dark and smoky, and couldn't
see who she was talking about. She leaned back, and this tall blonde angel materialized before my eyes.

She thought it was just a fun summer affair. I thought it was fate telling me, Here is what you have been
looking for all your life. Do you want this or don't you? I did. I spent Christmas with her and her parents
in the far northwest of Germany. Her parents spoke no English (my German was passable, and getting a
LOT better). Next summer, she visited America for the first time, and met my parents. After that, it was
just a question of logistics. She continued with her studies in social work, and I was recruited by my outfit
in the summer of 1975. Young guys who spoke German, Russian, French and Spanish were in particular
demand that year or something. I said that I would take the position on the condition that I could visit my
new girlfriend in Germany on occasion. They said combine it with work, and it was a deal.

Then, in late 1981, my brother, who had been stationed in Japan, called me up to ask if I wanted to be best
man at his wedding. He had met his wife to be in Japan, and they were getting married so she could remain
in the States with him, as he was being transferred back to Washington. I said sure, and I would call up my
GF in Germany to see if she could make it too. He said, well, if you're both gonna be there, we might as well
make it a double. No arrangements!!!! I called Germany and related what my brother had suggested. My
wife-to-be said the German equivalent of "sure, works for me." Not the most romantic proposal, but we had
been together for over seven years by then, so what's a piece of paper?

The double wedding was held in Washington--neutral ground, considering the Germans and Japanese present.
That was thirty years ago.

1981, seven years after meeting, and a year before our wedding:
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1982: the fateful day:
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2011, on Cape Cod, Massachusetts:
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And our daughters, who will carry on when we're outta here:
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The ride may have been bumpy at times (cancer, heart issues, logistics), but I couldn't have,
wouldn't have done it with anyone else. We met 38 years ago this year. It's a long way
from age 22 to age 60, believe me!!!!!!!!!!